Kentucky Derby and Oaks Update: Patrona Margarita Breezes

CraigUpham’s Ashland Stakes (Grade I)
third-place finisher PatronaMargarita recorded a half-mile
breeze in :48.80 on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for a
start in the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) on Friday, May 4.

The Texas-bred daughter of Special Rate breezed through eighth-mile splits of
:12.60, :24.60 and :36.80 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:02 and six furlongs
in 1:15.60, according to Churchill Downs clocker JohnNichols.

“She’s been doing very well,” trainer BretCalhoun said. “She had
a couple of rough months at Fair Grounds with some fungus on her leg that we
had to treat with antibiotics and give her some time off. I think now she’s
just really getting turned around from the antibiotics. She wasn’t close to top
shape in the Ashland but is doing really well now.”

Patrona Margarita kicked off the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with a 3 ¾-length
upset victory in the Sept. 17 Pocahontas (GII) at Churchill Downs. The filly
returned as a 3-year-old with a fourth-place effort in the Feb. 17 Rachel
Alexandra at Fair Grounds prior to her third in the April 7 Ashland at
Keeneland.

KNOWN
KENTUCKY DERBY ARRIVAL SCHEDULE – With less than two weeks remaining until the first Saturday in May,
shipping plans to Louisville, Ky. are being finalized for many Kentucky Derby
horses.

Blue Grass
Stakes (GII) winner GoodMagic arrived from Keeneland Sunday morning and is stabled in
Barn 42 at Churchill Downs. Lexington Stakes (GIII) victor MyBoyJack was also expected to arrive at Churchill Downs from
Keeneland on Sunday afternoon (2:30 p.m.) and be stabled in Barn 25 for trainer
KeithDesormeaux.

Trainer Todd
Pletcher is slated to enter four
horses in the Derby: Florida Derby (GI) winner Audible, Arkansas Derby (GI) victor Magnum
Moon, Louisiana Derby (GII) hero Noble
Indy, and Wood Memorial (GII)
champ Vino Rosso. The quartet, which are expected to be joined by several
other members of the “Todd Squad,” including 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always
Dreaming, are scheduled to arrive from
Palm Beach, Fla. on Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. (all times Eastern),
according to Director of the Stable Area Steve
Hargrave.

Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner and likely Kentucky Derby
favorite Justify is expected to have his final breeze in California next
weekend along with stablemate and Arkansas Derby third Solomini before shipping to Churchill Downs soon thereafter, Hall
of Fame trainer Bob Baffert reported Saturday.

Impressive 18 ½-length UAE Derby (GI) winner Mendelssohn is expected to travel to Kentucky from Ireland on Monday,
April 30, according to Hargrave.

Wood Memorial runner-up Enticed, currently stabled at Palm Meadows in South Florida for
trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, could ship to Churchill Downs either April 28-29,
according to Hargrave

It was announced Wednesday that NFL star Rob
Gronkowski acquired an
ownership stake in European Road to the Kentucky Derby-invitee Gronkowski. The colt is expected to arrive at Churchill Downs on
Saturday, April 28, according to trainer JeremyNoseda.

Follow @DerbyMedia on Twitter for the latest shipping
updates.

BARN LIST: Six Kentucky Derby contenders and eight likely Kentucky
Oaks contenders are on the grounds at Churchill Downs: